Timer



May 20, 1958 Filed May 15, 1957 Jil F. BIEDERMANN TIMER ET AL 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Friedrich BIEDERMANMqRk/mrd MfK j u 1. m

y 20, 5 F. BIEDERMANN ET AL 2,835,849

TIMER Filed May 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o R; Q 1\ NQ N Ln 8; s 'T 1 H 2 II m 9l & I811 zifi 8% v 58 m u R H [\Y I u m 0 Q W INVENTORS fi'iedrich BIfDfRIMN-ljfiichard W/CK United States Patent H TIMER Friedrich Biedermann, Unterhaching, near Munich, and Richard Wick, Munich, Germany, assignors to Agfa Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen-Bayerwerk, Germany ApplicationMay 15, 1957, Serial No. 659,358

Claims priority, application Germany May 19,1956

14 Claims. (Cl. 315-151) The present invention relates to a timing apparatus.

-More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for accurately timing the energization of light :sources used in processing photographic film.

In timing circuits utilized for photography darkroom apparatus, it is usually desirable to have a manually operable switch or automatically operable switch located at a positionwhich is-easily'accessible for the photographic equipment operator. For example in photo-enlarging apparatus, it is convenient to provide a foot-operated switch for controlling the on-and-off periods for the light used in theenlarger apparatus.

For timing circuit purposes, it is conventional to charge a capacitor until a desired'electrical potential is achieved thereacross and to use this potential for igniting a thyratron, for example. When the thyratron fires, the light source used in the photographic equipment is automaticallyextinguished. In this manner it is theoretically possible to precisely control and automatically time the time ofenergization of the photographic light source.

Unfortunately when such capacitor chargingtiming circuits are used with remote control switches, such as foot-operated'switches, the switch used for controlling the energizing circuit for the illumination source is also used in the charging circuit'of the capacitor. lnthis vmanner the capacitor starts to charge at theoretically the same time as the illumination source. However, since the switch is remotely controlled from the photographic apparatus, some cable connection or the like must be arranged between the remote switch and the control appermitting a remote switching arrangement to be utilized.

Still another object of the present invention is to .pro-

vide a timer circuit which can be used in conjunction with photographic equipmentand which can'be automatically operated by elements ;'of the.photograpliic-equiprnent.

Yet a further object of the present inventionis to provide a timing circuit using photo-responsive .means for automatically adjusting the illumination time of photographic equipment to'whichit is connected.

It is yet another object of the present-invention to provide a new and improved timer apparatus for controlling a main switch i'n'an electrically energized apparatus using a capacitor charging arrangement wherein the main Patented May 2t), 395

2 switch is closed at thesame instant that the capacitor starts to charge.

With the above objects in view, the present. invention mainly consists of a timer for use in controlling the op- 5 feration of a control member and including energizing means, a capacitor connected in circuit with the energizing means and adapted to be charged thereby, first switch means connected in the circuit and movable be- ,tween capacitor charging and capacitor discharging positions, tube means having a control electrode connected to the capacitor and having at least an anode and a cathode connected in circuit with the energizing means, the tube means becoming conductive when the first switch means are in capacitor charging position and the capacitor is charged to a preselected potential, actuating means connected in circuit between the anode and the energizing means and connected to the switch'means and the control member, the actuating means being energized when the tube means is conductive to move the first switch means between the positions thereof and to move the'control member between an original and a displaced position, and second switch means connected in circuit with the control tube and the actuating means for rendering the control tube non-conductive, whenever desired, whereby operation of the second switch means renders the control tube non-conductive and de-energizes the actuating means to move the control member into displaced position thereof and simultaneously move the first switch means into its capacitor charging position -wherein the capacitor is charged by the energizing means ,untilthe preselected potential is reached and the control tube is rendered conductive to energize the actuating means to return the control member to its original position-and simultaneously move the first switch means into its capacitor discharging position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention -the control member being controlled by the timer is a .main switch used for photographic equipment wherein the time of closing and opening of the main switch is accurately controlled by the timer.

In another preferred embodiment of the present inven- -tion the second switch means is maintained in normally circuit closed position and is operated into 'circuit open ':ing position by a part of the movable housing of the photographic equipment which'is being controlledby the timer.

-In order to control the charging'rate for the capacitor, electrical impedance means canc'e provided in circuit between the energizing means and the capacitor. These electrical impedance means can also include photo-responsive means which can automatically vary *the charging rate of the capacitor in response to the illumination provided by the photographic equipment *beingcontrolled by the timer apparatus.

The novel features which are considered as character- -istic-for the invention are set forth in particulariin the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, to-

gether with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description "of specific embodiments when read in connection with Ztheaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1- is an electrical schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.2 is a partial electrical schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the present apparatus; and

Fig. 3 is an electrical schematic diagram of still a third embodiment of the present apparatus. 7 Referring to the drawings and more particularly to i" 1, it canbe seen that the apparatus to'be controlled includes a light source 20 which is connected by means of conductors 41 and 42 to supply conductors 1 and 2,

respectively. The supply conductors 1 and 2 are connected in turn to a source of alternating current voltage by means of a double pole switch 22. It is apparent that the source of alternating current voltage may be the usual house current, for example.

Also connected connected across the supply conductors 1 and 2 by means of conductors 43 and 44, respectively, is a full-wave bridge rectifier 3. The output conductor 46 of the rectifier 3 therefore is provided with a positive potential while the other output conductor 8 of the rectifier 3 is provided with a negative potential.

The direct current appearing on conductor 46 is filtered by conventional filtering means including capacitors 4 and 6 and resistor and then applied by means of a conductor 7 to a voltage divider arrangement including resistors 9, and 11 connected in series. Connected to the junction points of the resistors 9 and 10 is one terminal of a variable rheostat 23, the other end of which is connected to a fixed contact 24 of a relay 40. The relay 40 includes a first movable armature 18 which is movable between a first fixed contact 24 and a second fixed contact 25. The relay 40 also includes a relay winding 17 and a second movable armature 19 connected in circuit with the conductor 41 of the illumination source 20.

It can be seen that the fixed contact 25 of the relay at) is connected to the conductor 8 to the negative output terminal of the rectifier 3 while the armature 18 is directly connected to one side of a capacitor 16 and to the control electrode 15 of the control tube 14. The other plate of the capacitor 16 is connected by means of a conductor 47 to the junction point between the resistors 10 and 11 of the voltage divider circuit. This plate of the capacitor 16 is also directly connected to the cathode 13 of the tube 14.

The tube 14 also has an anode 12 which is connected to one side of the relay winding 17 by means of a condoctor 48. It can be noted that the other side of the relay winding 17 is connected to the conductor 7.

Connected in parallel with the tube 14 is a push-button switch 21 having fixed contacts 26 and 27. It can be seen that the contact 26 is directly connected to the anode 12 of the tube 14 while the contact 27 is direcly connected to the cathode 13 of the tube 14.

The switch 21 is a push-button switch which in the illustrated embodiment is normally urged into the circuit opening position. The control tube 14 may be a thyratron tube, for example, which is normally in non-conductive condiiton but which may be rendered conductive when a preselected potential equal to the ignition potential of the tube is applied to the control electrode 15, thereof.

In operation, the switch 22 is closed to render the entire timing apparatus and the apparatus to be controlled in operative condition. It is clear that as long as the armature 19 of the relay 40 remains in the illustrated position, the projection source 20 will be illuminated while this source 20 will be deenergized when the armature 19 is moved into circuit opening position.

The alternating current supplied through the closed switch 22 is applied to the input terminals of the fullwave rectifier 3 by means of the conductors 43 and 44 and the rectified voltage, after filtering, is applied by the conductors 7 to the voltage divider consisting of the resistors 9, 10 and 11. At this time, the relay winding 17 is not energized since the switch 21 is in circuit opening position and the tube 14 is in non-conductive condition.

A portion of the voltage applied across the entire voltage divider is applied through the variable resistor 23, the fixed contact 24 and the armature 18 to the capacitor 16. It is clear that the capacitor 16 will be charged to a potential which will eventually reach the voltage drop across the resistor 10. However, before the capacitor 16 is fully charged, it is'charged to a preselected potential 4 which is equal to the ignition potential of the control tube 14. This potential which is applied to the control electrode 15 of the tube 14 fires the tube, rendering the tube 14 conductive. This completes a circuit for energizing the relay winding 17.

Accordingly, the relay winding 17 of the relay is energized to move the armature 19 into circuit opening position and to move the armature 18 into electrical connection with the fixed contact 25. When the armature 19 is moved into circuit opening position, it is clear that the illumination source 20 is deenergized so that the rays of light emitted therefrom are extinguished. When the armature 18 is moved into contact with the fixed contact 25, it can be seen that the capacitor 16 is charged in the opposite direction since it is now" connected in parallel with the resistor 11 in the reverse manner from the previous connection across the resistor 10. However, this negative potential to which the capacitor 16 is charged will not render the thyratron 14 non-conductive since the control electrode 15 no longer has control, once the thyratron is ignited and conductive.

Accordingly the apparatus will remain in this condition with the thyratron conducting and the relay 40 energized. In this position, the illumination source 20 is off.

The apparatus is now ready to be used as a timing apparatus for photographic purposes, for example. In such photographic equipment, it is desirable to illuminate a light-sensitive paper for a preselected time period. For example in photo-enlarging, the negative is placed near the light source and projectors so that the image from the negative is formed in the plane of the lightsensitive photographic paper. The amount of time that the light-sensitive paper is to be subjected to the light rays emitted from the light source is determined by the type of paper being used and the condition of the negative, etc. 7

Accordingly with the timing apparatus incorporating 1 the'principles of the present invention, the time for which the light is to be illuminated is selected and this time can be preadjustcd in the timing apparatus by properly positioning the variable resistor 23. A calibration scale can be provided for this purpose.

After the light-sensitive paper is placed in the proper image plane of the photographic equipment utilizing the light source 20, the push-button switch 21 is moved into circuit-closing position thereby short-circuiting the cow trol tube 14. This immediately renders the tube 14 nonconductive since the operating potential difference between the anode 12 and the cathode 13 thereof is no longer present. However, the relay winding 17 still remains energized since its energizing circuit is completed through the closed switch 21.

When the operator releases the switch 21, it is urged back into its normal circuit-opening position. At this instant, the relay winding 17 is deenergized and the armaturcs 18 and 19 thereof return to their illustrated positions. This immediately energizes the source of illumination 20 so that the same emits rays of light. At the same time, the capacitor 16 is now charged through the variable resistor 23. This charging continues until the preselected potential is reached and the tube 14 is again ignited. The ignition of the tube 14 renders the same conductive, thereby closing an energizing circuit for the relay winding 17. At this instant, the armature 19 is moved into circuit opening position and the armature 18 is returned into electrical contact with the fixed contact 25 of the relay 40.

Accordingly, the exact time during which the illumination source 20 is energized is precisely controlled. That is, this source 20 is energized for a time period starting from the instant that the push-button switch 21 is returned to its circuit opening position until the time that the thyratron 14 is rendered conductive. These time intervals can be very accurately calibrated and a proper calibration dial placed onthe variable resistor'23. This calibration will not" be disturbedsincethere are'no external connections to the capacitor 16 or the other elements of the timing circuit. The only external connection is made to the push-button switch 21' which may be remotely located at the end of a long cable without adversely affecting any of the time-determining elements of the timing switch.

in the circuit of Fig. l, the push-button switch'21 is manually operated and can be operated independently from any of the other parts of the apparatus. in photo graphic equipment, it is common practice to have a footoperated switch so that the operator using thephotd graphic equipment has both hands free to properly position the photographic light-sensitive paper and the focussing elements.

For other purposes, it is desirable to have the timing interval initiated automatically by the operation of parts of the photographic equipment with which the timing circuit is utilized. For example, the photographic lightsensitive paper on which an image is to be developed is usually placed in the image plane of the photographic enlargtr. A housing is provided for covering the photographic paper after it is placed in the enlarger. The housing cover can be user for operating the switch. In Fig. 2, a normally closed push-button switch is shown.

The switch 28 of Fig. 2 is used in place of the normally open switch 21 of Fig. 1. However it can be seen that the switch 28 closes the'same circuit between terminals 26 and 2,7 as the switch 21 in Fig. 1. In other words, the circuit of Fig. 2 is exactly the same as the circuit of Fig. 1 except that the switch 28 is substituted for the normally open switch 21.

In th-isarrangement, the. switch 21 is opened by the closing of the housing cover after the photographic paper is inserted in the photographic equipment. Therefore when the housing cover is lifted to remove the developed orexposed paper and to insert new photographic paper, the switch 28 is urged into its normally closed position by its urging'means. The closing of the switch 28 shortcircuits the tube 14 so that current flow through this tube is interrupted and the tube14 is rendered nonconductive. However the relay winding 17 of the relay do still remains energized so that the light 20 is not energized.

After the new photographic paper has been inserted .into the photographic equipment and the housing cover is closed, the switch 23 is thereby opened to deenergize the relay winding 17 zandto cause the arnratures thereof to return to their normal position. The armature 19 thereby closes the energization circuit for the light source 23 causing the same to be energized while the capacitor 16 is simultaneously placed in parallel with the resistor 1d of the voltage divider made up of the resistors 9, 19 and 11. Therefore, as-before,.the condenser 16..is charged through the variable resistor 23 until the ignitionpotential for thethyratron 14-is applied tothe control electrode thereof.

When this ignition potential is reached, the tube 14 tires and is rendered conductive. This energizes and act-uates the relay winding 17 thereby attracting the armature 19 to the core of the relay to open the energization circuit of the light 2%. Accordingly, the light 2%) is energized for an accurately controlled time period. The time period is started with the closing of the housing coverwhich opens switch 28 and energizes the relay 17. The timing period ends when the tube 14 fires.

If it is desired to place new photographic paper into the photographic equipment, the housing cover is lifted, thereby short-circuiting the tube 14 and rendering the same non-conductive. Whenthe housing cover is: again closed, the timing cycle is repeated as explained hereinabove.

- 1111116 arrangement of Fig. 2, it is apparent that the main switch 22 in the supply conductors 1 and 2, which the switch 21.

is independently operated, can be closed while thehousing cover is either opened or closed. If the main switch 22 is closed while the housing cover is closed, this means that the switch 28 is in circuit opening position. Under these circumstances, thetube'14 will be rendered conductive in the same manner as was described originally for Fig. 1 utilizing the switch 21. However, the switch 22 may be closed while the housing cover is open. Under these circumstances, the switch 28 is in circuit closing position. Accordingly the relay winding 17 of the relay is energized immediately through the closed switch 28 without any previous igniting of the thyratron 14.

The present invention may also be utilized with other types of timing equipment, for example, photo'responsive timing members. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 3, the elements which have the same function as the elements in Fig. l are identified with the same numerals. In Fig. 3, it can be seen that two separate voltage dividers are provided. The first voltage divider arranged between the positive potential supplying conductor 7 and the negative supplying conductor 8 is the voltage divider made up of the resistors 31 and 32.

' Connected to the junction point between the resistors 31 and 32 is one electrode of a photoelectric cell 34 the other electrode of which is connected by means of a conductor 51 to one plate of a capacitor 33 and to the control electrode 15 of the thyratron 14.

The second voltage divider connected between the conductors 7 and 8 consists of the resistor 29 in series with the potentiometer 30. The movable tab 52 of the potentiometer 30 is connected by means of a conductor 53 to the cathode of the tube 14 and to the terminal 27 adjacent The other plate of the capacitor 33 is directly connected by a conductor 54 to the negative supply conductor 8. It can be seen in this embodiment of Fig. 3 that the relay 40 again is provided with a relay winding 17 which operates two armatures. As before the armature 19 is connected in circuit with the light source 20. The relay 40 is provided with a second armature 35, normally in circuit opening position which cooperates with a'fixed contact 56 of the relay 40 when the relay winding 17 is energized. The armature 35 is directly connected by means of a conductor 57 to the conductor 51 and from there to the upper illustrated plate of the capacitor 33. The fixed contact 56 is directly connected by means of a conductor 58 to the other plate of the capacitor 33. The remaining elements of the circuit of Fig. 3 provide the same function and cooperate in the same manner as indicated in Fig. l.

In operation, eventually when the main switch 22 is closed, the control tube 14 is rendered conductive when the capacitor 33 is charged to the ignition potential through the photo-responsive member 34 and the voltage divider consisting of the resistors 31 and 32. When the tube 14 is rendered conductive, the relay winding 17 is energized and the armature 19 opens the circuit to the light source At the same time, the armature 35 is moved into circuit closing position with respect to the fixed contact 56 so that the capacitor 33 is short-circuited so that'this capacitor is discharged.

When the switch 21 is operated to close the terminals 26 and 27, the tube 14 is short-circuited to render this tube non-conductive. However, the relay winding 17 still remains energized, as has been explained with respect to Fig. 1. As soon as the switchll is released, the urging means included therewith urges the same back into circuit opening position to deenergize the relay 17.

The deenergization of the relay 17 places the armature 19 in circuit closing position to energize the light source 20 while simultaneously the armature 35 is moved away from the fixed contact 56 to open the short-circuit of the capacitor 33. The capacitor 33 is again charged by the photo-current produced in the photo-responsive member 34. .As soonaslthe capacitoris chargedto'the igniting potential, the tube 14 ignites to energize the relay winding 17 and to open the armature 19 and simultaneously close the armature 35. Therefore the light source 20 will be extinguished.

If the photo-responsive member 34 is positioned in some preselected position with respect to the photographic paper, the resistance of the member 34 will be acted by the amount of light reaching the same. Therefore the current flowing through this member for charging the capacitor 33 will be influenced by the amount of light reaching the photographic paper. In this manner the charging rate of the capacitor 33 can be made directly dependent upon the amount of illumination provided by the light source 20.

It is clear that the ignition potential for the tube 14 may be varied by presetting the movable tab 52 of the potentiometer 39. As before, a calibrated dial may be provided so that the setting may be changed for the different types of photographic paper used and in order to produce different efiects.

It is apparent that the embodiment of Fig. 3 may also be used with a switch which is operated by the cover of the housing used with the photographic equipment whose energization time period is being controlled. This can be done in the same manner as explained in Fig. 1 using the switch 28 of Fig. 2. i

In many cases to produce special eiiects in photographic work it is desired to have controls for overriding the automatic timing elements of the equipment. With the embodiment of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, it is very simple to change the timing period. The switch 21 need merely be used in circuit closing position at any time after the initial energization of the light source 20. When the switch 21 is operated, it is clear that the relay winding 17 will be immediately energized regardless of the con ductive conditions of the thyratron 14. The light source 20 will then be deenergized independently of the thyratron operation. Similarly, in the embodiment of Fig. 2 the timing interval can be interrupted by the opening of the housing cover to close the switch 28 and energize the relay 17 before the thyratron 14 is rendered conductive.

It is apparent that various combinations of the present timing circuit may be provided with other types of automatic photo-responsive equipment to provide fully automatic equipment whenever desired. However, in all these embodiments it is clear that the timing circuits which precisely control the energization time period of the light source used in the photographic equipment, are completely independent from any of the externally located controls. It is therefore a simple matter to provide either hand-operated, cover-operated, foot-operated, etc. types of switches in any desirable location in a photographic darkroom in order to obtain the properly timed exposure timing intervals.

It can be seen that the remotely located switches 21 and 28 do not require any auxiliary apparatus to be used between the photographic equipment and the timing apparatus.

Similarly, it is apparent that the timing circuit illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the present application can be used for operating any type of control member. That is, the energization of the relay winding 17 need not necessarily operate an electrical circuit. it may for example be used with an electromagnetic valve member which can interrupt fluid ilow through a conduit, whenever desired. In such an arrangement, the control member may be 'moved between its original position and some displaced position to change process conditions of a controlled process.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of timer apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in timer apparatus for photographic equipment, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown,

since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a timing apparatus for controlling the operation of a control member, in combination, a control tube having at least a control electrode, a cathode and an anode and being operable between conductive and non-conductive conditions; energizing means connected to said control tube; a capacitor connected to said energizing means and to said control electrode of said control tube and being adapted to be charged by said energizing means to a preselected potential for rendering said control tube conductive; first switch means connected in circuit with said capacitor and movable between at least first and second positions for changing the charging circuit of said capacitor upon movement between said first and second positions thereof; relay means connected in circuit with said control tube and being energized when said control tube is rendered conductive, said relay means being connected to said control member and to said first switch means for changing the relative positions thereof upon energization and deenergization of said relay means; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube, said switch means being movable between circuit closing position wherein said control tube is non-conductive and circuit opening position, whereby when said second switch means is moved into circuit opening position, said relay means is de-energized to simultaneously change the position of said control member and said first switch means, said capacitor thereupon being charged by said energizing means until said preselected potential is reached to render said control tube conductive and thereby energize said relay means.

2. In a timing apparatus for controlling the operation of a control member, in combination, a control tube having at least a control electrode, a cathode and an anode and being operable between conductive and nonconductive conditions; energizing means connected to said control tube; a capacitor connected to said energizing means and to said control electrode of said control tube and being adapted to be charged by said energizing means to a preselected potential for rendering said control tube conductive; first switch means connected in circuit with said capacitor and movable between at least first and second positions for changing the charging circuit of said capacitor upon movement between said first and second positions thereof; relay means connected in circuit with said control tube and being energized when said control tube is rendered conductive, said relay means being connected to said control member and to said first switch means for changing the relative positions thereof upon energization and de-energization of said relay "means for normallyur'ging said second switch meansinto "its circuit opening position.

3. In'a timing apparatus for controlling the operat'ion of a controlmember in a control apparatus, in combination, a control tube having at least a control' electrode, a cathode and an anode and being operable between conductive and non-conductive conditions; energizing means connected to said control tube; a capacitorcon- 'nected to said energizing means and to said control electrode of said control tube and being adapted to be charged by said energizing means to a preselected potential for rendering said control tube conductive; first switch means connected in circuitwith saidcapacitor'and movable between at leastfirstand'second positions for chang- 'ing the charging circuit of said capacitor upon movement between said first and secondpositi'ons thereof; relay means connected in circuit with said control'tube and being energized when said control tube is rendered conductive, said relay means being connectedto said control member and to said first switch means for changing the relative positions thereof upon energizationand' de-ener- "means until said preselected potential is reached to render said control tube conductive and thereby energize said relay means; means for normally urgingsa'id switch into 'itscircuit closing position; and means connected to the control apparatus for moving said second switch means into its circuit opening position against the action of said urging means.

4. In a timing apparatus 'for controlling the operation of a control member, in combination, acontrol tubehaving at least a control electrode, a cathode and an anode being operable between conductive and non-conductive conditions; energizing means connected to said control tube; a capacitor connected'to said energizing means and to said control electrode of said'control tube and being adapted to be charged by said energizing means to-a preselected potential for rendering said control tubeconductive; first switch means connected-in circuitwith -s'aid capacitor and movable between at least first and second positions for changing the charging circuit ofsaid capacitor'upon' movement between said first and second positions thereof; actuating means connected in 'circuitwith said control tube and being energized when said control tubehis rendered conductive; said actuating means being connected to said control member and to said first switch means for changing the" relative positions upon energi'zation and de energization of said actuating means; and

second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube, said switch means being movable betweencir- 'cuit closing position whereinsaid control tube-is nonconductive'and circuit opening position, whereby'when said second switch means ismoved into circuit opening position, said actuating means is de-energized'to'simultaneously change the position of said control member and said first switch means, said capacitor'thereupo'n being charged by said energizing means until said. preselected potential is reached to render said controltube conductive and thereby energize said actuating means.

5.'In'a timing apparatusfor controlling the operation of a control member, in combination; a control tube havi ing a control electrode and being'operable betweeniconducting and non-conducting conditions; energizing means connected in circuit with said control tube for rendering said tube conductive by applying a preselected electrical potential thereto; a capacitor connected in circuit'with said control electrodeof said'coiit'rol tube andsaid'enerconnected in circuit'with said control tube for rendering said tube'conductive by applying a preselected electrical g'iz'ing means and being adapted to be charged to said preselected potential for rendering said' tube conductive; 'fi'r'st' switch means connected in circuit with said capacitor "and movable between afirst position wherein said capacit'or'is charged to said preselected potential and being movable to a' second' 'position; actuating means for moving "saidfi'rst switch means between said first and second positions thereof and being connected to the control membertor moving the same between original and displaced positions thereof'upon energization and de-energization of said actuating means, said actuating means being connected in circuit between said control tube and said energizing'means and being energized to move said first switch means and the control member when said control tube is rendered conductive; and'second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube for rendering said control tube non-conductive, whenever desired,'whereby operation ofsaid second switch means renders said control tubeinon-conductiveand tie-energizes said actuating means to move the control member into displaced position thereof arid move said first switch means into its first position thereoi wherein said capacitor is charged by said -ener'gizing means until said-preselected potential is reached I and said control tube is rendered conductive to energize "said actuating means and return the control member to its-original position.

6. In -a timing apparatus for controlling the'operation of-a control rnember, in combination, a control tube having a control electrode and being operable between conducting andnon-conducting conditions; energizing means potential thereto; a capacitor connected in circuit with said control electrode ofsaid control tube and said ener- 'gizing means and being adapted to be charged to said preselected potential for rendering said tube conductive; :first switch means connected in circuit with said capacitor and movable between'a first'position wherein said capacitoris ehargedto said preselected potential and being movable to a second position; electromagnetic actuating means for 'moving' said' first switch means between said -first and secondpositions thereof and being connected to the control member for moving the same between original and-displaced positions thereof upon energization and deenergization of said electromagnetic actuating means, said 'electromagneticactuating means being connected in circult between said control tube'and said energizing means and being energized to 'move said first switch means and the control member when said control tube is rendered conductive; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube for rendering said control tube non conductive, whenever desiredjwhereby operation of said second switch means renders said control tube non-conductive and-de-ene'rgizes said electromagnetic actuating meansto move the control member into displaced position thereof and move said first'switch means into its first .position thereof wherein said capacitor is charged by'said energizing-means until said preselected potential is reached and-said'control tube is rendered conductive to energize said electromagnetic actuating means and return the control'mernber to itsoriginal position.

7. In a-timing apparatus for controlling the operation of a control memben incombination, energizing means; a capacitor connected in circuit with said energizing means and-adapted t-o be-charged thereby; first switch means connected-in said circuit and movable between capacitor charging and capacitor discharging positions; tubemeans having a'control electrode connected to' said capacitorand-having-at-least an anode and a cathode con- -nected--in circuit with said energizing means, said tube means becoming conductive when said first switch means are in capacitor charging-positionand said capacitor chargedto aipreselected potential; actuating means connected in circuit between saidranode and said energizing means and connected to said switch means and the control member, said actuating means being energized when said tube means is conductive to move said first switch means between said positions thereof and to move the control member between an original and a dispatched position; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube for rendering said control tube non-conductive, whenever desired, whereby operation of said second switch means de-energizes said actuating means to move the control member into displaced position thereof and simultaneously move said first switch means into its capacitor charging position wherein said capacitor is charged by said energizing means until said preselected potential is reached and said control tube is rendered conductive to energize said actuating means to return the control member to its original position and simultaneously move said first switch means into its capacitor discharging position.

8. In a timing apparatus for controlling the operation of a control member, in combination, a control tube having at least a control electrode, a cathode and an anode and being operable between conductive and non-conductive conditions; energizing means connected in circuit with said anode and said control electrode of said control tube; a capacitor connected in circuit with said energizing means and said control electrode of said control tube and being adapted to be charged by said energizing means to a preselected potential for rendering said control tube conductive; electrical impedance means connected in circuit between said capacitor and said energizing means for controlling the rate of charging of said capacitor by said energizing means; first switch means connected in circuit with said capacitor and movable between at least first and second positions for changing the charging circuit of said capacitor upon movement between said first and second positions thereof; relay means connected in circuit with said anode and being energized when said control tube is rendered conductive, said relay means being connected to said control member and to said first switch means for changing the relative positions thereof upon energization and deenergization of said relay means; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube, said switch means being movable between circuit closing position wherein said control tube is non-conductive and circuit opening position, whereby when said second switch means is moved into circuit opening position, said relay means is deenergized to simultaneously change the position of said control member and said first switch means, said capacitor thereupon being charged by said energizing means until said preselected potential is reached to render said control tube conductive and thereby energize said relay means.

9. In a timing apparatus for controlling the operation of a control member, in combination, a control tube having a control electrode and being operable between conducting and non-conducting conditions; energizing means connected in circuit with said control tube for rendering said tube conductive by applying a pre-selected electrical potential thereto; a capacitor connected in circuit with said control electrode of said control tube and said energizing means and being adapted to be charged to said preselected potential for rendering said tube conductive; electrical impedance means connected in circuit between said capacitor and said energizing means for controlling the rate of charging of said capacitor by said energizing means; first switch means connected in circuit with said capacitor and movable between a first position wherein said capacitor is charged to said preselected potential and being movable to a second position; actuating means for moving said first switch means between said first and second positions thereof and being connected to the control member for moving the same between original and displaced positions thereof upon energization and deenergization of said actuating means, said actuating means being connected in circuit between said control tube and said energizing means and being energized to move said first switch means and the control member when said control tube is rendered conductive; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube for rendering said control tube non-conductive, whenever desired, whereby operation of said second switch means renders said control tube non-conductive and de-energizes said actuating means to move the control member into displaced position thereof and move said first switch means into its first position thereof wherein said capacitor is charged by said energizing means until said preselected potential is reached and said control tube is rendered conductive to energize said actuating means and return the control member to its original position.

10. In a timing apparatus for controlling the operation of a control member, in combination, energizing means; a capacitor connected in circuit with said energizing means and adapted to be charged thereby; first switch means connected in said circuit and movable between capacitor charging and capacitor discharging positions; electrical impedance means connected in circuit between said capacitor and said energizing means for controlling the rate of charging of said capacitor by said energizing means; tube means having a control electrode connected to said capacitor and having at least an anode and a cath- Ode connected in circuit with said energizing means, said tube means becoming conductive when said first switch means are in capacitor charging position and said capacitor is charged to a preselected potential; actuating means connected in circuit between said anode and said energizing means and connected to said switch means and the control member, said actuating means being energized when said tube means is conductive to move said first switch means between said positions thereof and to move the control member between an original and a displaced position; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube and said actuating means for rendering said control tube non-conductive, whenever desired, whereby operation of said second switch means renders said control tube non-conductive and de-energizes said actuating means to move the control member into displaced position thereof and simultaneously move said first switch means into its capacitor charging position wherein said capacitor is charged by said energizing means until said preselected potential is reached and said control tube is rendered conductive to energize said actuating means to return the control member to its original position and simultaneously move said first switch means into its capacitor discharging positionv 11. In a timing apparatus for controlling the energization of an electrically energizable apparatus, in combina tion, energizing means; a capacitor connected in circuit with said energizing means and adapted to be charged thereby; main switch means connected in circuit between the energizable apparatus and said energizing means and movable between circuit closing position wherein the energizable apparatus is energized and circuit opening position wherein the energizable apparatus is de-energized; first switch means connected in said circuit and movable between capacitor charging and capacitor discharging positions; tube means having a control electrode connected to said capacitor and having at least an anode and a cathode connected in circuit with said energizing means, said tube means becoming conductive when said first switch means are in capacitor charging position and said capacitor is charged to a preselected potential; actuating means connected in circuit between said anode and said energizing means and connected to said main and first switch means, said actuating means being energized when said tube means is conductive to move said first switch means between said positions thereof and to move said main switch between said circuit closing and circuit opening positions thereof; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube and said actuating means for rendering said control tube non-conductive, whenever desired, whereby operation of said second switch means renders said control tube non-conductive and de-energizes said actuating means to initiate the energization of the energizable apparatus by moving said main switch into circuit closing position and simultaneously moving said first switch means into its capacitor charging position wherein said capacitor is charged by said energizing means until said preselected potential is reached and said control tube is rendered conductive to energize said actuating means to return said main switch to said circuit opening position thereof and simultaneously move said first switch means into its capacitor discharging position.

12. In a timing apparatus for controlling the energization of an electrically energizable apparatus, in combination, energizing means; a capacitor connected in circuit with said energizing means and adapted to be charged thereby; main switch means connected in circuit between the energizable apparatus and said energizing means and movable between circuit closing position wherein the energizable apparatus is energized and circuit opening position wherein the energizable apparatus is tie-energized; first switch means connected in said circuit and movable between capacitor charging and capacitor discharging positions; electrical impedance means connected in circuit between said capacitor and said energizing means for controlling the rate of charging of said capacitor by said energizing means; tube means having a control electrode connected to said capacitor and having at least an anode and a cathode connected in circuit with said energizing means, said tube means becoming conductive when said first switch means are in capacitor charging position and said capacitor is charged to a preselected potential; actuating means connected in circuit between said anode and said energizing means and connected to said main and first switch means, said actuating means being energized when said tube means is conductive to move said first switch means between said positions thereof and to move said main switch between said circuit closing and circuit opening positions thereof; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube and said actuating means for rendering said control tube non-conductive, whenever desired, whereby operation of said second switch means renders said control tube non-conductive and deenergizes said actuating means to initiate the energization of the energizable apparatus by moving said main switch into circuit closing position and simultaneously moving said first switch means into its capacitor charging position wherein said capacitor is charged by said energizing means until said preselected potential is reached and said control tube is rendered conductive to energize said actuating means to return said main switch to said circuit opening position thereof and simultaneously move said first switch means into its capacitor discharging position.

13. In a timing apparatus for controlling the operation of a control member, in combination, a control tube having a control electrode and being operable between conducting and non-conducting conditions; energizing means connected in circuit with said control tube for rendering said tube conductive by applying a pro-selected electrical potential thereto; a capacitor connected in circuit with said control electrode of said control tube and said energizing means and being adapted to be charged to said preselected potential for rendering said tube conductive; first switch means connected in circuit with said capacitor and movable between a first position wherein said capacitor is charged to said preselected potential and being movable to a second position wherein said capacitor is shortcircuited; actuating means for moving said first switch means between said first and second positions thereof and being connected to the control member for moving the same between original and displaced positions thereof upon cnergization and deencr ation of said actuating means, said actuating means being connected in circuit between said control tube and said energizing means and being energized to move said first switch means and the control member when said control tube is rendered conductive; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube for rendering said control tube non-conductive, whenever desired, whereby operation of said second switch means renders said control tube nonc-onductive and de-energizes said actuating means to move the control member into displaced position thereof and move said first switch means into its first position thereof wherein said capacitor is charged by said energizing means until said preselected potential is reached and said control tube is rendered conductive to energize said actuating means and return the control member to its original position while simultaneously shortcircuiting said capacitor by moving said first switch means into said second position thereof.

14. In a timing apparatus for controlling the energization of an electrically encrgtablc illuminating apparatus, in combination, energizing means; a capacitor connected in circuit with said energizing means and adapted to be charged thereby; main switch means connected in circuit between the energizable apparatus and said energizing means and movable between circuit closing position wherein the energizable apparatus is energized and emits rays of light and circuit opening position wherein the energizable apparatus is de-cnergized; first switch means connected in said circuit and movable between capacitor charging and capacitor discharging positions; photo-responsive impedance means connected in circuit between said capacitor and said energizing means for controlling the rate of charging of said capacitor by said energizing means, said photo-responsive impedance means being subjected to said rays of light emitted by the illuminating apparatus; tube means having a control electrode connected to said capacitor and having at least an anode and a cathode connected in circuit with said energizing means, said tube means becoming conductive when said first switch means are in capacitor charging position and said capacitor is charged to a preselected potential; actuating means connected in circuit between said anode and said energizing means and connected to said main and first switch means, said actuating means being energized when said tube means is conductive to move said first switch means between said positions thereof and to move said main switch between said circuit closing and circuit opening positions thereof; and second switch means connected in parallel with said control tube for rendering said control tube non-conductive, whenever desired, whereby operation of said second switch means de-energizes said actuating means to initiate the energization of the energizable apparatus by moving said main switch into circuit closing position and simultaneously moving said first switch means into its capacitor charging position wherein said capacitor is charged by said energizing means until said preselected potential is reached and said control tube is rendered conductive to energize said actuating means to return said main switch to said circuit opening position thereof and simultaneously move said first switch means into its discharging position.

No references cited. 

